POT FOR GOP HEALTH

The University of Cincinnati College Republicans lucked out last week.

The cancellation of a speech by William Bennett -- former U.S.
Education Secretary, former national drug czar and ongoing radio
talk-show demagogue -- left the floor open for a more thoughtful
presentation. Rob Ryan, regional director of Republicans for
Compassionate Access, addressed the group on the political impact of
marijuana, especially medical marijuana. While some might be
surprised to hear about Republicans organizing in support of medical
marijuana, Ryan held out the example of Bob Ehrlich's successful race
for governor of Maryland. While in Congress, Ehrlich supported a bill
to legalize medical marijuana.

Ryan blasted Ohio Democrats, calling them "spineless" for not more
aggressively pushing for passage of Senate Bill 74, which would allow
doctors in Ohio to prescribe marijuana. He also recalled an event
earlier this year when, he said, the Ohio Democratic Party attempted
to have him banned from a meeting at a Columbus hotel when he raised
the issue of medical marijuana. After what Ryan called "an
embarrassing standoff" for the Democrats, then-State Sen. Mark
Mallory came to his aid and Ryan was allowed back into the event.